The Josh Shaw story has taken a turn for the worse.
Not only did Shaw fabricate a story about saving his drowning nephew, which made the USC cornerback appear to be a hero, the reality of the situation may be more unfortunate than initially believed.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed Friday it is investigating a potential domestic abuse situation between Shaw and his girlfriend. The incident in question occurred last weekend.
In the earlier police report, officers responded to a call in an downtown Los Angeles apartment building after a “a report of a woman’s screams from a third-floor unit.”
“A neighbor reported seeing a man run across or scale a balcony, and gave a general description of the individual.”
The man fit the Shaw’s description, but he hasn’t been identified as the one exiting the building through a pried window.
The police would like to question Shaw further, but his attorney has declined the opportunity to do so.
“We would have like to hear from Mr. Shaw to provide some clarity about the situation, but that is not going to happen,” Capt. John McMahon, head of Central Division patrol, said. “In light of that, our investigation into a possible domestic dispute will continue.”
Donald Etra, Shaw’s attorney, said his client “has already spoken to the LAPD twice. We believe that is enough. The matter is over and there is no need to talk to them further. ... Enough is enough.”
Shaw is indefinitely suspended from USC’s football. A return this season will likely depend on the outcome of the investigation and whether or not his teammates will accept him back. USC head coach Steve Sarkisian released a statement upon making the decision to suspend Shaw.
“We are extremely disappointed in Josh,” Sarkisian said in a statement. “He let us all down. As I have said, nothing in his background led us to doubt him when he told us of his injuries, nor did anything after our initial vetting of his story.”